Awkward, dyslexic new-kid-in-town Liam, complete with warring parents, writes his letter to Santa but unfortunately addresses it to Satan, who visits the boy and grants him three wishes in exchange for his soul. As simple and silly as the high concept suggests, Jack Black plays Santa/Satan with gruff relish and a hefty helping of his usual schtick, and Robert Timothy Smith is quite endearing as the boy, with the pair playing well together on screen. The film seems at odds with itself, being very predictable (it even has the over-used Bad To The Bone on the soundtrack) but also delivering a couple of unexpectedly heartbreaking moments. Mild swearing and a silly fart-joke scene aside, the film does not quite seem to know where to pitch itself; if the film had the gleeful bite of a Bad Santa or Gremlins it might have engaged more, but as it skews younger it grinds along in a rather twee and cautious fashion.
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